Former teacher's hearing delayed in child porn case

LAKEPORT -- A former Lower Lake High School teacher who faces charges of possessing child pornography had his arraignment on information delayed Tuesday morning at the Lake County Courthouse.

Jeremy Duane Stock, 38, who said in court he hired a new attorney Monday evening, was granted time to allow his attorney to become informed about and prepare for the case.

The court found enough evidence to order Stock to face trial during his preliminary hearing Dec. 6. His arraignment on information was rescheduled Tuesday for Jan. 28.

Stock, who was an English teacher at Lower Lake High School from August 2009 to January 2009, was arrested on Dec. 7, 2012, after allegations that he was acting inappropriately with students. Stock had reportedly not taught for the district since January of that year, after the school's principal was made aware of the allegations.

During the investigation into the allegations, authorities allegedly found several images believed to be child pornography in Stock's laptop and desktop computers as well as an external hard drive.

Authorities later stated that Stock's students were not believed to be victims included in the child pornography charges.

Stock faces a single felony charge of possession of child pornography. He originally faced an additional misdemeanor charge of molesting a minor, but the charge was dropped during the preliminary hearing after the prosecution did not present enough evidence for the charge to make it to trial.

Stock, who was present in court Tuesday, awaits further court proceedings out of custody.

Isaac Brambila is an associate editor for Lake County Publishing. Reach him at 263-5636 ext. 37 or at ibrambila@record-bee.com.